Saturday, January 3, 2009

We now have results from that hard working computer nerd who comes in on Saturdays at the AKC. Judge Polly Smith awarded the four year old Bouvier des Flandres dog, CH Quiche's Demetrius, his first BIS in 2009 at the Columbiana County Kennel Club show in Talmadge OH. Demetrius, bred by sisters Louise & Elaine Paquette, is owned by Elaine Pacquette and Sondra & David Riser, and handled by Elaine. Demetrius’s memorable 2008 wins included three BIS and a Herding Group Two at Westminster.

CH Quiche's Demetrius

Also included in Judge Smith’s final were the Black Cocker Spaniel, Ch Beechwood's Expressing It Best, the Whippet, Ch Tattershall Ticket To Fly, the Giant Schnauzer, Ch Skansen's Sir August Brigs, the Colored Bull Terrier, Ch Paradox Muse-lc To My Ears, the Shih Tzu, Ch Hallmark Jolei Surfer Girl, and the Standard Poodle, Ch Hillwood Dassin De Lovely. The Standard Poodle, the latest effort of the Four Horseman of the A-Poodle-Lypse, Elaine Charles, Karen LeFrak, Wendell Sammet and Joseph Vergnetti, had eight BIS last year. The Shih Tzu, the 2008 Best Shih Tzu, is bred/owned/handled by the 2008 AKC Toy Breeders of the Year Luke and Diane Ehricht.

However much we like to believe that past is prologue, we know that every week in dogdom brings us some surprises and you will read about them here first.

Out with the old. In with the new. The first all breed Best In Show of 2009 was recorded yesterday by the five year old Puli dog, CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams, with Judge Robert Forsyth making the call at the Greater Daytona Dog Fanciers Association in Deland FL. “Conrad” was bred by the quartet of P Turner & A Quigley & A & S Lawrence, is owned by Susan Huebner & Jackie Beaudoin, and handled by Linda Pitts. The dog with the dreds finished 2008 as the 16th highest scoring AKC dog in conformation.

CH Cordmaker Field Of Dreams

Joining the Puli in yesterday’s final seven were the ASCOB Cocker Spaniel, CH Lydgate Rise N Shine, Petis Basset Griffon Vendeen dog, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, the Rottweiler, CH Loral's Number One Caesar, the Smooth Fox Terrier, CH J'cobe Kemosabe Vigilante Justice, the Pomeranian, Starfire's Kiss Me Big, and the Bulldog, CH Emerald Red Baron. The Smooth Fox, who is juat 21 months old, left last year's top Terrier, the Sealyham, CH Efbe's Hidalgo at Goodspice, back in the group with a second place rosette. He caused quite a stir when he went Best of Winners at Montgomery County back in October and already has one BIS to his credit. Will he be one of our new top ten? Stay tuned.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Those of you who have read these pages for a while know that I like old movies, good food, and a quick correction. To that end I present some updated numbers with a quote from Susan Hayward in the 1953 film, “The President’s Lady”. Hayward as President Andrew Jackson’s First Lady, who after being snubbed by the wives of the Washington establishment, tells a reluctant gathering of them, “I heard about the most wonderful diet. All you eat is crow.”

So it is with a mouth full of feathers I report that the latest AKC report shows that as of 26 December, the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, has finished 2008 as the Fourth Highest Scoring Dog in AKC Conformation, a scant 415 points ahead of the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade. You may recall that I had reported that the Griffon, Lincoln, had finished fourth, a hand full of points ahead of the Standard Poodle, Yes. My apologies to the breeders/owners/handlers of Yes and Lincoln and to the Dog Show Poop readers.

Abby asks, "What are the biggest dog shows in the country?" Well, there's big and then there's BIG. By sheer numbers of entries, this coming weekend's shows in Indio CA hosted by the Palm Springs Kennel Club are the largest with over 3000 in the regular classes on Saturday and Sunday. Those numbers are substantially down from 2008 when there were over 4000 entries.

CH Cilleine MasqueradeWinner 2008 Evansville KC

The second largest shows are the ones in Louisville KY in mid March. This year the Saturday event sponsored by the Evansville KC, the largest of a four day cluster that starts on a Thursday, drew almost 3700 entries. Next comes the Saturday event the third weekend of January in Portland OR put on by the Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon which attracted over 3400 entries, the largest show in a five day weekend that spans Thursday to Monday.

CH Roundtown Mercedes Of MaryscotWinner 2008 DFA of Oregon

These three weekends account for eight of the ten largest shows in the US. The AKC does have a list of every show, all breed and /limited breeds/specialties, with numbers from 2007 and 2006.

CH Efbe's Hidalgo At GoodspiceWinner 2008 Montgomery County KC

However, the BIG shows, the most prestigious AKC shows, are the Eukanuba National Championship and the Granddaddy of all dog shows, Westminster. Even a breed winner at Westminster has bragging rights for life. Following closely behind is the all Terrier event, the Montgomery County Kennel Club show. Some Terrier breeders (Not this one) would rather win a Montgomery County than a Westminster.

I also want to put in a pitch for the Eukanuba warm up events in Long Beach. The three shows hosted by the Beverly Hills, Los Encinos, and Long Beach kennel clubs prior to the big event provided us the biggest thrills of 2008. The final at the Friday Long Beach show was my favorite of the year. It was the first time in my memory that we got to see the number one ranked dog from six of the seven groups all in the same final. That show was won by the 2008 highest scoring dog in conformation, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. It may not have been a really big show, but it was damn near perfect.

Number 9. The Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, “Ouija”, bred by Ray & Janna Brinlee, owned by the Brinlees & Steven & Eileen Biles, and handled by Bill McFadden. Ouija won the first of her 16 BIS in 2008 at the prestigious Golden Gate Kennel Club show, one of the few benched shows left in the US, on 27 January. Ouija and Bill McFadden also provided us with one of our favorite photos of the year taken at this year’s Eukanuba National Championship.

Number 8. The Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, “Coda”, bred by Jeff & Barbara Fox, Linda Johnston, & Susan Lowder, owned by Susan and Dr. and Mrs. William Truesdale, and handled by Kim Pastella Calvacca. Coda, 2008’s top Hound, was our rare breed poster child this year. Everywhere he went, people would say, “That’s a Harrier?” and we would answer, “Yes, the best one anybody has ever seen.” We feel very lucky we lived to see him.

Number 7. The Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, “Sadie” bred by Mary O'Neal & Anstamm Kennels, owned by Amelia Musser, and handled by Gabriel Rangel. Sadie is another great Scottie from Miriam “Buffy” Stamm, the AKC 2008 Terrier Breeder of the Year. As Scottie owners we are always excited to see one of our own at the top and Sadie is one of the best we’ve seen. She was not campaigned as aggressively as some of our other top ten dogs, staying close to home most weekends, but she still managed to win 24 Best In Shows.

Number 6. The Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, “Charmin” bred by Frances Bergeron, owned by Margery & Richard Good & Sandra Middlebrooks, and handled by Margery Good. Charmin, the 2007 Eukanuba National Championship winner, has been a top ten dog the last two years and is one of the most recognizable show dogs in the US. He dominated his group like few of the other top ten dogs, winning 147 Terrier Groups, including the largest of all limited breed shows, Montgomery County.

The next two placings require an editor's note. Our numbers have the number five and number four dogs separated by the amazingly narrow margin of just 68 points, with both dogs collecting over 67,000 points . Quite frankly, it's more important that one is the top Non-Sporting Dog and the other is the Number Two Toy Dog. Certainly the breeders/owners/handlers should be proud of what they have accomplished this past year. Our numbers are preliminary numbers subject to final verification by the AKC, but we have never been one to shrink from making a decision. We are, therefore, calling it as follows:

photo courtesy AKC

Number 5. The Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, “Yes”, bred by Dennis McCoy, Randy Garren, & Joe & Joan Lacey, owned by Toni & Martin Sosnoff, and handled by Timothy Brazier. Yes, the Number One Non-Sporting Dog, is another hold over from the 2007 top ten. Another dog that liked to stay close to home, she won 48 BIS in 2008, including the Del Valle Dog Club Of Livermore on 19 October, one of the ten largest shows in 2008.

Number 4. The Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, “Lincoln“, bred by Denise Barney, owned by Mamie & Evelyn Gregory & Harlow & Anne Jahelka, and handled by PaulCatterson. Lincoln was one of two spectacular Toy Dogs in our top ten, collecting 42 BIS, including a double header in Louisville KY on 15 & 16 March, the third largest weekend in 2008.

Number 3. The Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, “Taser”, bred by Terry & Jackie Stacy, owned by Phil & Patty Smith, and handled by Jorge Olivera. This dog with the shocking name, electrified the show ring, and astonished the dog world as he bolted from locale to locale to maintain his Top Toy Dog status. He also afforded us with the opportunity to populate these pages with a plethora of puns (alliteration and puns in one paragraph, we are in Heaven) We have rarely seen a campaign so perfectly managed. Congratulations to everyone involved with the top Affenpinscher in history.

photo courtesy AKC

Number 2. The Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, "Holly", bred by bred by Cheryl S. Laduc, A. Cantor, & A. Walker, owned by Sean & Tammy McCarthy & Helyne Medeiros, and handled by Michael E. Scott, PHA. Holly and handler Michael Scott gave us one of the most exciting finishes to any campaign that we can remember, coming from behind with a flurry of BIS wins in the fall. In the end, she would finish the year with 96 Best In Shows, 25 more than the Number One Dog, the last being the coveted 2008 Eukanuba National Championship. As heroic as the charge was, it was not enough, as she fell just a few hundred points shy of the top spot.

Number 1. The Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, “Spirit”, bred by Maryann Bisceglia & Mary Hayes, is owned by Mary Hayes & Joe & Carla Sanchez, and handled by Taffee McFadden. Spirit was the consumate warrior princess, fighting off every challenger. She dominated the year defeating nearly 120,000 dogs, 25,000 more than 2007’s top dog. Spirit and handler Taffe McFadden traveled across the US and dominated in every section of the country. Hopefully, you were one of the lucky ones that got to see this memorable duo in 2008.

We bid a fond farewell to our top ten, and send them back to their loving families with our gratitude for sharing the excitement with all of us this past year.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

That is unless something interesting happens in the world of dogs in the next 21 hours.

DC Sun-Yak Spellbnd Heaven Scent

For fans of the underdog the place to be yesterday was the Oakland Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA. As reported here, the country’s number one Sporting Dog, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, lost the chance to compete for the Number One All Breed Ranking when Judge Honey Glendinning, placed her a disappointing Group Three behind two California dogs, the country’s number one Vizla, CH Koppertone's Classical Minuet, and the multi-group winning Gordon Setter, DC Sun-Yak Spellbnd Heaven Scent.

CH Just-Wright The Full Monty

Hound Group Judge Joe Tacker also raised some eyebrows when he gave the 15 inch Beagle, CH Just-Wright The Full Monty, his second Group One this year at the expense of the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, who finished second, and the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, who was left out of the ribbons. However, the reliable Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, took the Terrier Group, courtesy of Judge Ekarat Sangkunakup, and joined the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, in the final ring. Rounding out the final seven were a Pomeranian import from Thailand, Starlight’s Smile From Siam (This is a dog to watch, from a Thai breeder to watch, Suradej Ekviriyakit), the Keeshond, CH Windrifts Non-Negotiable Asset, and the Border Collie, CH Hitop’s Whiz Kid.

Starlight’s Smile From Siam

Well, you know how it all turned out. Just like 70 times earlier this year, the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit, the Number One Dog in 2008, went Best In Show. What a year it’s been.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A reader has just told us that the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, has finished 2008 with a BIS at today's Oakland Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA. Just icing on the cake for this year's top dog.

The AKC 2008 highest scoring dog in conformation is CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, a four year old Giant Schnauzer bitch bred by Maryann Bisceglia & Mary Hayes, owned by Mary Hayes & Joe & Carla Sanchez, and handled by Taffee McFadden. Spirit started the year winning the 3000 plus Dog Fanciers Association of Oregon show and never looked back, amassing 71 Best In Shows and nearly 120,000 points, 25,000 more than 2007 top dog, the Toy Poodle, CH Smash JP Win A Victory.

CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit and Handler Taffe McFadden

The win was assured today at the Oakland Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA when Sporting Group Judge Honey Glendinning placed the number two dog, a three year old Pointer bitch, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, Group Three. Holly, as she is known, was bred by Cheryl S. Laduc, A Cantor, A Walker, is owned by Sean & Tammy McCarthy & Helyne Medeiros, and is handled by Michael E. Scott, PHA. Holly capped the year with a win at the 2008 Eukanuba National Championship over an all champion field. She finishes the year with 96 Best in Shows and almost 120,000 points, just a few hundred shy of the top spot.

CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry

Our congratulations to Taffe McFadden and the entire Spirit team. They have completed a courageous and exhausting 2008 campaign and have given all of us in the dog fancy a thrilling year. We also extend our congratulations and thanks to Michael Scott and Holly’s owners and breeders. They engineered one of the most electrifying finishes in our lengthy memory.

I’m sure when Robert R. Frost signed his judging contract for yesterday’s Santa Cruz Kennel Club show he didn’t think he would have the opportunity to crown the dog world’s Queen, the 2008 top dog. He had judged neither of the two top dogs this year, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, nor the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. In fact, he is not yet approved to judge either Giant Schnauzers or Pointers. A judge with fewer preconceived opinions would be hard to find. However, familiarity would not have made it easier for the Greenville IN resident as he went over two nearly perfect specimens.

CH Kimro's Soldier Boy

In the end Judge Frost side stepped the issue by reminding us that an AKC dog show always has seven dogs in contention for Best In Show and choosing the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, as his best dog of the day. In addition to the Pointer, the Giant, and the Sealie, Judge Frost had the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija, the Miniature Pinscher, CH Kimro's Soldier Boy, the Keeshond, CH Windrifts Non-Negotiable Asset, and the Bouvier des Flandres CH Voodoo Slam Dunks Susant's, to consider. The Deerhound had left the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, back in Judge Monica Canestrini’s ring with a Hound Group Four ribbon.

CH Windrifts Non-Negotiable Asset

So here we are. It’s the last show of the year. Our top two dogs have amassed nearly 120,000 points each and are currently separated by a handful of points. Today the burden of proof is on the Pointer, Holly. Anything less than a Best In Show win will leave the Giant Schnauzer, Spirit in first place. Dog fanciers could not have asked for a more dramatic end to the year.

CH Voodoo Slam Dunks Susant's

One editorial note…much has been made of the assignment of today’s Sporting Group judge, Honey Anne Glendinning. As previously reported here, Mrs. Glendinning is the sister of Taffe McFadden, handler of the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit. While the coincidence makes for an interesting subplot, no one should read anything more into the situation.

Monday, December 29, 2008

We've just had a reader point out a misleading post we made on 1 December regarding the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot. In a play on words concerning the warm weather, we said that Sadie got the "cold shoulder", failing to place in the Terrier Group at the Imperial Valley Kennel Club show in Yuma AZ on 30 November.

While it is true that Sadie did fail to get a group placement, it wasn't because Judge Judith Franklin passed her over. For reasons unknown to us, Sadie skipped the group after winning the breed that day. As Scottie owners we are huge fans of Sadie and would not want to leave the impression with our readers that we were selling her short. Our thanks to the anonymous reader that brought this to our attention.

While we were all focused on the rivalry between the the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, another great dog, the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice, ran away with Judge Robert Frost's heart and the BIS title at today's Santa Cruz Kennel Club show in San Mateo CA, proving once again that no one can predict the ourcome of an AKC dog show.

The win complicates the race for number one. If either the Giant or the Pointer wins tomorrow's Oakland Kennel Club show, she will be the 2008 number one dog. However, if neither wins, the Giant may win the national title by the slimmest of margins, 200 to 300 points.

This last weekend of the year was billed as the clash of the titans and it did not disapoint. Eight of the top ten dogs were entered at the San Mateo CA venue. Only the Standard Poodle, CH Randenn Tristar Affirmation, and the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot had decided to stay home. Unfortunately, the Salinas Kennel Club’s Saturday main event was cancelled when the number one dog in the country, the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry, failed to make it out of Judge Joe Tacker’s Sporting Group, who tapped the country‘s number one Vizla, CH Koppertone's Classical Minuet, as his number one Sporting Dog. Show goers were further disappointed when the top two Toy dogs, the Affenpinscher, CH Tamarin Tug, and the Brussels Griffon, CH Cilleine Masquerade, and the number one Herding dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, CH Coventry’s Vanity Fair, who were entered, all failed to show.

CH Koppertone's Classical Minuet

Nonetheless, there was drama to spare in the preliminary as the number one Hound in the nation, the Harrier, CH Downhome Family Tradition, squared off against the number two Hound, the Scottish Deerhound, CH Jaraluv Ouija. The deerhound, Ouija, advanced to Judge Stephen Hurt’s final seven, hoping to garner a BIS to take over the top Hound spot, but it was not to be. Her kennelmate, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, was on a mission to take back the number one dog slot and she took a major step in that direction by taking the top prize. Also on hand to witness the win was the Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice.

CH Pupukearidge Ikaika O Sprngvly

However, spectators at Sunday’s San Mateo Kennel Club final failed to get a look at either of the top Hounds, as Judge Robert R. Frost gave the Deerhound a Group Two, gave the Harrier a wave good bye, and advanced the BIS winning Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH Pupukearidge Ikaika O Sprngvly, to Judge Peter Baynes final. However, they did get a chance to tell other doggy folks, that they saw two of the greats of the canine world go toe to toe and, on that day, the Giant Schnauzer prevailed. Once again, the reliable Sealyham Terrier, CH Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice was also present.

While, Spirit has regained her number one position, Holly is still within striking distance as we come down the backstretch. Today's results will determine if we have a photo finish or a win by a cold, wet nose.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

The lucky spectators at today's San Mateo Kennel Club in San Mateo CA saw two of the highest scoring dogs in history face off in judge Peter Baynes's BIS ring, the Giant Schnauzer, CH Galilee's Pure Of Spirit, and the Pointer, CH Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry. The Giant, Spirit, had held the top spot in the rankings most of the year, but had been passed by the Pointer, Holly, earlier in December, but today, after what surely must have been the longest three weeks ever for her team, Spirit and handler Taffe McFadden regained the number one spot with a BIS win today. Congratulations to all. Now the question is, can they win one more to hold off the Pointer?

NUMBER NINE

NUMBER TEN

SHOW INFO

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The author has been attending dog shows as a spectator and exhibitor for over 45 years. He is a retired management consultant who has advised multiple organizations affiliated with the AKC and the Cat Fanciers Association on business management, long range planning, customer service, and legislative matters. After 25 years of living in the big cities of New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, he now resides in his hometown of Memphis, TN.

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